US4549171A - Floating oil leak detector - Google Patents

Floating oil leak detector Download PDF

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Publication number
US4549171A
US4549171A US06/568,058 US56805884A US4549171A US 4549171 A US4549171 A US 4549171A US 56805884 A US56805884 A US 56805884A US 4549171 A US4549171 A US 4549171A
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United States
Prior art keywords
float
lead wire
wire
sensor
floating
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
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US06/568,058
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English (en)
Inventor
Juji Akiba
Satoru Kobayashi
Hiroyuki Sugibuchi
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Junkosha Co Ltd
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Junkosha Co Ltd
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Assigned to JUNKOSHA CO., LTD. reassignment JUNKOSHA CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: AKIBA, JUJI, KOBAYASHI, SATORU, SUGIBUCHI, HIROYUKI
Application filed by Junkosha Co Ltd filed Critical Junkosha Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/16—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to floating apparatus, or the like, to detect the presence of an oil membrane on a water surface, or changes in physical or chemical properties on liquid surfaces, in general, and which performs such detection uninterrupted by elevation or lowering of the liquid level.
  • a detecting apparatus which floats on a liquid has an electrical sensor provided with a lead wire whose length is equal to the lowest liquid level to be expected.
  • the lead wire slackens.
  • the slackened lead wire is often caught on other members in a liquid vessel.
  • the lead wire tends to get stiff resulting from weather changes or aging. As such, the floating of the apparatus can be hindered and, hence, its appropriate detecting ability can be lost.
  • a floating leak detecting apparatus comprising a float assembly having an opening extending vertically therethrough, a sensor anchored to the float, a lead wire electrically connected to the sensor and guided in such a way that it extends downwardly from the float, makes a U-turn, returns upwardly and extends out through the opening in the float upwardly, the wire having a weight disposed at the U-turn for weighting down the lead wire.
  • the lead wire is preferably coated with fluorocarbon resin.
  • the weight may include a roller or pulley which is in contact with the lead wire at the U-turn of the wire.
  • the float assembly may include a guide roller to guide and separate the upwardly extending portion of the lead wire from the downwardly extending portion.
  • the float assembly may comprise a lower float and an upper float connected to the lower float, the sensor being anchored between the lower and upper floats.
  • FIG. 1 depicts schematically, in side elevation, a conventional floating leak detector.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the leak detector according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in cross section, of the leak detector of this invention.
  • Oil floating on the surface of a body of water can be detected by the floating sensor of this invention which comprises a float having a central opening vertically therethrough and containing an electrical sensor, the lead wire connected to the sensor extending downwardly through the opening, forming a U-bend and extending upwardly through the opening to alarm means.
  • a weight of the U-bend provides for automatic height adjustment of the detector as the surface of the body of water raises or lowers.
  • a floating detecting apparatus which comprises a float provided with an opening extending vertically therethrough, a sensor housed in the float, a lead wire electrically connected to the sensor and guided in such a way that it extends through the opening(s) downwardly from the float, makes a U-turn, returns upwardly through the opening(s), and having a weight disposed at the U-turn of the lead wire for holding down the lead wire.
  • the lead wire is coated with fluorocarbon resin, the wire can slide well on the neighboring parts, and therefore the wire will not adversely affect the floating force of the float.
  • a roller or pulley assembly to the weight such that a load is applied to the wire through the roller or pulley, and the wire is then weighted down satisfactorily. It is also possible to mount a guide roller to the float to guide and separate the upwardly extending portion of the lead wire from the downwardly extending portion to ensure that the lead wire is held down.
  • the float may consist of an upper float and a lower float connected to the upper one in such a way that the sensor is anchored between both floats. This structure allows adjustment of the detecting apparatus to set it for a specific object.
  • the lead wire is pulled below the float at all times depending on the height of the float. Consequently, the wire is not caught on any other member, and detection regardless of liquid level is assured.
  • the lead wire is coated with a fluorocarbon resin, the wire can slide well on the neighboring member. Further, the wire exhibits stabilty against wide temperature changes and various chemicals, and reliability is provided for the apparatus.
  • a conventional apparatus as well as the invention is best described in detail with reference to the drawings.
  • FIG. 1 shows a conventional floating detecting apparatus 1 which is comprised of a frame 2, a sensor 3 mounted to the frame 2, a lead wire 4 brought out from the sensor 3, and floats 5 affixed to the frame 2.
  • this apparatus 1 if the liquid level rises, the wire 4 slackens. The result is that the floating force of one of the floats 5 may be reduced as shown. Or, the wire may be caught on another member. Particularly, when the liquid level rises rapidly, such an undesirable situation arises frequently. Also, when the wire 4 gets stiff because of temperature, aging, oxidation, or other causes, floating of the apparatus 1 is hindered to a great extent. This leads to unreliability of detection of the sensor 3.
  • the novel apparatus 10 includes a float assembly consisting of an upper float 11 and a lower float 12 which is connected to the float 11 by means of two bolts 13.
  • the upper float 11 is provided with an opening 14 extending vertically through the float.
  • the lower float 12 has an opening 15 extending vertically through it. The opening 15 widens out downwardly, and a guide roller 16 is disposed at the lower end of this opening.
  • Anchored between the floats 11 and 12 is a sensor 17 to which a lead wire 18 in the form of a ribbon cable is electrically connected.
  • the wire 18 is coated with fluorocarbon resin and is guided in such a way that it extends downwards as a downwardly extending portion 19, makes a U-turn at 20, and then extends upwards from the turn 20 via the roller 16 as an upwardly extending portion 21.
  • a weight 22 is attached to the turn 20 formed at the lowest end of the wire 18 to pull the wire down.
  • the weight 22 comprises a guide roller 23 placed in contact with the wire 18, a weight roller 24, and a frame 25 securing the roller 24 to the roller 23.
  • the lead wire 18 takes the form of ribbon cable and so the weight 22 is comprised of the roller 23, 24 and the frame 25.
  • a guide V-pulley (not shown) may be used instead of the guide roller 23 so that any arbitrary weight may depend from the center of the V-pulley.
  • the detecting apparatus 10 constructed as described above and floating in liquid 27, such as water, is moved upwards. Then, the weight 22 pulls the two portions 19 and 21 of the lead wire while maintaining these portions in aligned condition. As the apparatus 10 rises higher, the turn 20 of the wire 18, that is, the position of the weight 22, is moved further away from the lower float 12. If a membrane of a fluid having a small specific gravity such as oil 29 is created on the surface 28 of the liquid 27, the oil 29 will pass through the protective net 30, preferably made of plastic, formed between the floats 11 and 12 and then it will reach the sensor 17. Thus, inflow of the oil 29 can be sensed smoothly and certainly, irrespective of liquid level.
  • the apparatus 10 is lowered accordingly.
  • the turn 20 of the wire 18, that is, the weight 22, is moved closer toward the lower float 12.
  • the two portions 19 and 21 of the lead wire are automatically aligned well according to the liquid level 28.
  • the detecting apparatus is smoothly moved by change in the liquid level 29, and detection of the oil 29 on the liquid is effected certainly without substantial error.
  • the float comprises the upper float 11 and the lower float 12.
  • the position of the sensor 17 can be held stably at any desired position in relation to the weight 22. Further, in case of multilayer liquid, the position of the sensor can be conveniently set.
  • a novel detecting apparatus comprising the float provided with the hole extending vertically therethrough, the sensor anchored to the float, the lead wire electrically connected to the sensor and guided in such a way that it extends downwardly from the float, makes a U-turn, returns upwardly, and extends out through the hole in the upper float upwardly, and the weight disposed at the U-turn of the lead wire for pulling down the lead wire pulls down the two portions of the wire automatically in response to changes in liquid level while keeping the two portions in aligned condition, thus ensuring smooth movement of the apparatus. Therefore, detection is effected with certainty in response to change in liquid level, resulting in high reliability.
  • the lead wire is coated with fluorocarbon resin, the wire is stable over a wide range of temperature and capable of sliding. A further advantage is that it is quite stable physically and chemically.
  • the lead wire may take the form of round cable.
  • the weight including the rollers may be replaced by a combination of a pulley and a desired weight.
  • the float may consist of a single unit. Obviously, many modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
US06/568,058 1983-01-28 1984-01-04 Floating oil leak detector Expired - Lifetime US4549171A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP58-11840[U] 1983-01-28
JP1983011840U JPS59117924U (ja) 1983-01-28 1983-01-28 浮遊検出装置

Publications (1)

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US4549171A true US4549171A (en) 1985-10-22

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US06/568,058 Expired - Lifetime US4549171A (en) 1983-01-28 1984-01-04 Floating oil leak detector

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JP (1) JPS59117924U (enrdf_load_html_response)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4935726A (en) * 1988-12-14 1990-06-19 Underground Sensor Systems, Inc. Drainage system monitoring apparatus
US5474685A (en) * 1994-02-14 1995-12-12 Breslin; Michael K. Apparatus and method for detecting and recovering immiscible liquids of different densities
US5481904A (en) * 1994-09-28 1996-01-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Oil spillage detector
US5514338A (en) * 1994-11-29 1996-05-07 One Plus Corp. Device for sensing liquid hydrocarbon
US6452500B1 (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-09-17 Hycom Instruments Corp. Hydrocarbon sensing apparatus
US8134462B1 (en) * 2008-08-08 2012-03-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Self-contained sensor package for water security and safety
CN105823644A (zh) * 2016-03-22 2016-08-03 中国石油大学(华东) 沉垫收、发油和保温加热系统实验模型、实验方法及应用

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP7345177B2 (ja) * 2019-11-01 2023-09-15 学校法人立命館 フローティングセンサ

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1131299A (en) * 1966-03-03 1968-10-23 Commissariat Energie Atomique Apparatus for remotely indicating the level of liquid in a tank
US3603952A (en) * 1969-05-12 1971-09-07 Millard F Smith Spill sensors
US3874223A (en) * 1972-10-14 1975-04-01 Asahi Chemical Ind Liquid detector
US3885418A (en) * 1973-10-17 1975-05-27 Anthony R Kriebel Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an oil slick on a water surface
US3913384A (en) * 1974-01-28 1975-10-21 Meidensha Electric Mfg Co Ltd Water quality determination apparatus
US3946625A (en) * 1973-05-11 1976-03-30 Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid detector
DE2940193A1 (de) * 1979-10-04 1981-04-09 Felten & Guilleaume Carlswerk AG, 5000 Köln Laengswasserdichtes, kunststoffisoliertes starkstromkabel, insbesondere mittel- oder hochspannungskabel

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1131299A (en) * 1966-03-03 1968-10-23 Commissariat Energie Atomique Apparatus for remotely indicating the level of liquid in a tank
US3603952A (en) * 1969-05-12 1971-09-07 Millard F Smith Spill sensors
US3874223A (en) * 1972-10-14 1975-04-01 Asahi Chemical Ind Liquid detector
US3946625A (en) * 1973-05-11 1976-03-30 Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid detector
US3885418A (en) * 1973-10-17 1975-05-27 Anthony R Kriebel Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an oil slick on a water surface
US3913384A (en) * 1974-01-28 1975-10-21 Meidensha Electric Mfg Co Ltd Water quality determination apparatus
DE2940193A1 (de) * 1979-10-04 1981-04-09 Felten & Guilleaume Carlswerk AG, 5000 Köln Laengswasserdichtes, kunststoffisoliertes starkstromkabel, insbesondere mittel- oder hochspannungskabel

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4935726A (en) * 1988-12-14 1990-06-19 Underground Sensor Systems, Inc. Drainage system monitoring apparatus
US5474685A (en) * 1994-02-14 1995-12-12 Breslin; Michael K. Apparatus and method for detecting and recovering immiscible liquids of different densities
US5481904A (en) * 1994-09-28 1996-01-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Oil spillage detector
US5514338A (en) * 1994-11-29 1996-05-07 One Plus Corp. Device for sensing liquid hydrocarbon
US6452500B1 (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-09-17 Hycom Instruments Corp. Hydrocarbon sensing apparatus
US8134462B1 (en) * 2008-08-08 2012-03-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Self-contained sensor package for water security and safety
CN105823644A (zh) * 2016-03-22 2016-08-03 中国石油大学(华东) 沉垫收、发油和保温加热系统实验模型、实验方法及应用

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Publication number Publication date
JPS59117924U (ja) 1984-08-09
JPH0317255Y2 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1991-04-11

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